Prenylhydroxybenzoic acid derivatives and other two analogues previously reported were isolated from Piper arieianum leaves. The structures of the compounds were assigned from detailed spectroscopical analysis (NMR 1D and 2D and HR ESI TOF MS) data and by comparison with data from the literature. These molecules posses pungent activity different to that of capsaicin and their activity is related to their structure and their mechanism of action can involve interactions with TRPV1 channel. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.